This was my very first back-country camping trip in the States! I've done it before in Romania, but never here. We started on Friday afternoon from Boston, and arrived around 6pm in Stark. Parked the car at the trail head and started towards the Unknown Pond camp sites. We were caught by a big hail storm along the way, and it got dark before we reached the site. Soaked, muddy and a bit worried about the close lightening, but satisfied I made it to the end! Next morning we started towards The Horn with much lighter load. The trail was absolutely beautiful, especially after the big storm. The flowers were spectacular, the greens in the spring foliage were radiant! The last part of the trail was interesting, it was fun to scramble over the rocks! What a spectacular view from the top! Could not believe it! Some of our gear and clothes were still wet from the previous day so we spent a couple hours at the top soaking in the sun and drying out things. I took advantage and had my very first outdoors rock climbing lesson :) First time was a bit scary, but after I caught the taste of it, it was more and more fun. Tried both with shoes and bare feet - can't decide which I liked better. We had the summit to ourselves almost the entire time - what a treat!

The Horn looked to be an ideal place for some fine NH views. It was too hazy, and cloudy when I was there. Interesting as I was coming down Cabot, I wanted to see The Horn, and I walked right up the side trail to it, missing the turn for the Kilkenny Ridge trail, granted I wasn't supposed to take that to see The Horn. I wanted to go to the Horn, but it took me a minute to figure out I was on the side trail. I was saying to myself, why is the trail going up? I must be going up The Horn.

Climbed with Cabot and the Bulge via the Bunnell Notch Trail from York Pond. Only a short side trail off the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. Catched some amazing views from the summit block. Great foliage this time of year.

Despite some haze, excellent views in all directions except north. A bit of bushwhacking northward allowed a glimpse of Unknown Pond from near the summit. I surprised a snake in the branches of a bush as I brushed past - I'm not sure which of us jumped back faster.

Climbed this one a couple times in my youth. One notable trip was during my Eagle Scout project: I organized a trailblazing expedition for my troop in conjunction with the Forest Service. We backpacked 30-some miles from the Berlin fish hatchery down to Star King to Jefferson. Windy, cold, beautiful and productive.